Job Details
Recreation Program Manager (Limited Term)
2025-12-19 County of San Luis Obispo, CA San Luis Obispo,CA
Description:
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
Minimum Qualifications
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Organizational Management or closely related field.
In addition, three years of experience planning, evaluating and implementing promotional, interpretive, volunteer, and/or recreation programs with a public agency or similar private facility
How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-###-#### for assistance or e-mail ...@co.slo.ca.us for more information.
Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)###-####.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail .
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
-Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) ###-####.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01
How many years of progressively responsible professional experience in recreation programming do you possess? Please provide a specific number.
02
How many years of experience do you possess working in a supervisory or management role? Please provide a specific number.
03
The Recreation Program Manager may be required to work holidays, weekends, and irregular hours as needed. Please select "yes" to confirm you understand this is a condition of employment.
04
Please describe any programmatic experience you have related to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
05
Why are Parks important to you and the community?
Required Question
Salary : $80,100.80 - $102,232.00 Annually
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 1225PM-001203-01
Department: Parks & Recreation
Division: 22202 Community Parks
Opening Date: 12/18/2025
Closing Date: 1/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
About the Position
The County of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Recreation Program Manager to provide leadership over a diverse portfolio of recreation programs and services. Under general direction, this position plans, organizes, manages, and evaluates programs to meet departmental service objectives and cost-recovery goals.
The Recreation Program Manager oversees core program areas that may include aquatics, community recreation, outdoor education, special events, and facility rentals. Responsibilities include staff supervision, budget and revenue management, marketing and community outreach, and coordination with internal and external partners. This position also serves as the department's subject matter expert for recreation registration software, working directly with the vendor to improve efficiencies, resolve issues, and implement system enhancements.
This is a Limited Term (2-year appointment) position and the appointment end date for this position is still to be determined. Employees in limited term positions receive benefits equivalent to permanent full-time employees and are eligible to earn vacation, sick leave, health, and pension benefits.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, implement, and evaluate recreation programs and services, including aquatics, outdoor education, special events, and facility rentals.
- Develop program goals, operating plans, schedules, and performance measures aligned with departmental objectives.
- Prepare and manage program budgets; monitor revenues and expenditures; and ensure alignment with established cost-recovery targets.
- Supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate assigned full-time, part-time, seasonal staff, and contractors.
- Establish and enforce program policies, procedures, safety standards, and risk management practices.
- Oversee marketing, promotion, and community outreach efforts related to recreation programs and services.
- Collect, analyze, and report program data and trends to support data-driven decision-making and service improvements.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with community organizations and coordinate volunteer involvement.
- Serve as subject matter expert for the department's registration software; coordinate with staff and vendors to improve functionality and efficiency.
- Prepare reports, fee analyses, and recommendations; research funding opportunities and prepare grant applications, as assigned.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and departmental policies.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience planning and managing public recreation programs and services.
- Knowledge of park, recreation, and aquatic operations, including cost-recovery principles.
- Experience managing program budgets and monitoring financial performance.
- Supervisory experience with diverse staff groups, including seasonal employees.
- Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
- The ability to collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, vendors, community partners, and the public.
- Experience administering or supporting recreation registration systems or similar program software.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities in a public-service environment.
Minimum Qualifications
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Organizational Management or closely related field.
In addition, three years of experience planning, evaluating and implementing promotional, interpretive, volunteer, and/or recreation programs with a public agency or similar private facility
How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-###-#### for assistance or e-mail ...@co.slo.ca.us for more information.
Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)###-####.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail .
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
-Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) ###-####.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01
How many years of progressively responsible professional experience in recreation programming do you possess? Please provide a specific number.
02
How many years of experience do you possess working in a supervisory or management role? Please provide a specific number.
03
The Recreation Program Manager may be required to work holidays, weekends, and irregular hours as needed. Please select "yes" to confirm you understand this is a condition of employment.
- Yes
- No
04
Please describe any programmatic experience you have related to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
05
Why are Parks important to you and the community?
Required Question